<p>so i’ve seen some really similar threads about what i’m asking but neither really answered my question fully</p>
<p>k first of all…which one is better for biomedical engineering (bioengineering, w/e) brown or penn? and also…which do you think is better overall? right now, i’m not positive about engineering, but i know that i’ll probably want to do something in the sciences. </p>
<p>im mainly trying to decide between brown and penn right now, so i’m trying to get an idea of the good and bad about both. i know some brown students who have told me about brown…are there penn students who can tell me some of the good stuff about penn? also, what is the atmosphere there like? how are all the students and what is the courseload like? stuff like that…thanks so much!</p>
<p>Penn Bioengineering is highly regarded and respected. The program stresses interdisciplinary coursework/research and works closely with the School of Medicine and the Dental School. Currently, they are working to bring in some of the top professors in the country and have added some great people to the faculty in recent years. Also, Skirnakich Hall, the new home to Penn's Bioengineering program, is scheduled for completion within the month and will be open in the Fall. </p>
<p>The atmosphere at Penn Engineering in general is like a smaller school. While Penn as a whole is quite large, you can find a smaller-school community atmosphere within Penn Engineering. You will know a majority of the Engineering students by the end of your first year due to the number of classes you will have with them all. They tend to stick together, even in the dorms. Students are passionate about learning and many are involved in research and co-curricular activities. Engineers at Penn also fit in plenty of extracurriculars, including athletics, performing arts groups, religious groups, etc. There are a lot of international students, which sometimes can be tough to get used to (some tend to stick together and not associate w/ American students), but this also adds a lot to the school. The courseload can be tough the first few years with so many requirements, but it is definitely feasible. It takes a lot of work and a strong work ethic to maintain good grades, but Engineering students work hard and enjoy what they do.</p>
<p>Hope this helps a little bit!</p>
<p>thanks it does help...im still kinda confused though...ok well to be more general, what kind of student do you think would be best at upenn? like...personality characteristics and such..</p>
<p>I'd say Cornell, but since that isn't an option, go for Penn!</p>
<p>I don't think there's really a certain kind of student that would like Penn better than others. But, it does help if you are open to other cultures, passionate about learning, extremely motivated in your studies, and believe that extracurriculars are as much a part of your college career as curriculars.</p>
<p>thanks for the further advice...another question...i went to the ADOCH thing at brown, and everyone was telling me that engineering at brown is very group oriented. they said there's not really much competition and everyone works together on everything...they also said the ability to take some classes pass/fail was really good, and that actually, people didn't really get C's. </p>
<p>for anyone in engineering at penn, and esp BE, would you say the academics is the same way? or is it much more challenging...how hard do you actually have to work to do well?</p>
<p>BE at Penn is definitely very group oriented. In your first BE class, BE 100, you will work in a group environment on a semester-long design project. Then, during sophomore and junior years, you will work in groups in the labs. You get to know your fellow BE classmates very well, and some become quite close. I personally am very good friends with several of my BE classmates. </p>
<p>I'm not too sure about the number of pass/fail courses you can take, but I believe it is 4. Most students use these on courses that are outside of their major.</p>
<p>In your engineering classes, it's probably quite difficult to get a C unless you really slack off. You're more likely to get a C in calculus, chemistry, biology, etc. </p>
<p>In order to do well, it does take quite a lot of work. Quite a lot of work means doing the homework assignments seriously, taking good notes, and studying more than just the first 1-2 nights before a mid-term.</p>
<p>thanks krtrumpet182...my question about the group thing was more specifically if people worked together on homework and had study groups...that kind of thing? and also, would you say that to major in BE you'd have to really like it to be successful?</p>